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Rainbow Lakes Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Location | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Sites | 17 public sites counted from the federal listing — 17 standard nonelectric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 17 sites Water hookups at 0 of 17 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 17 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 17 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 02:00 PM · Out 12:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Phone | 530-529-0578 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-09-02.
From the official listing
Overview This campground is at the end of the Rainbow Lakes Road and adjacent to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. There are 18 first-come, first-served Scan & Pay campsites that accommodate tents (on 14x16 foot tent pads) and small trailers. Campsite 8 is oversized and accommodates up to 15 people. Campsites 15 - 18 are walk in sites for tents.
Facilities Picnic tables, fire grates, vault toilets and trash services are provided. This campground does not feature drinking water, electricity, hook-ups, dump stations, or showers. All campsites with a tent pad have a bear locker.
Natural Features Abundant hiking trails and opportunities for wildlife viewing.
Nearby Attractions Brainard Lake Recreation Area is just a 30-minute drive from the campground.
Directions, from the listing
From Nederland, head north on Colorado Highway 72 for approximately seven miles. Look for the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station sign and turn west onto National Forest System Road 298. This route is gated during the winter. This road is a five-mile, native-surfaced road. A high clearance vehicle is recommended.
Trip Card — Rainbow Lakes Campground
Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Arapaho & Roosevelt National Forests Pawnee NG |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 17 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10386586 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.